System for staining and coverslipping specimen slides

ABSTRACT

A system ( 100 ) for staining and coverslipping specimen slides comprises a first part (the stainer ( 1 )) and a second part (the coverslipper ( 20 )). A transport device ( 5 ), with which racks ( 4 ) carrying specimen slides are transferred directly from the stainer ( 1 ) into the coverslipper ( 20 ), is provided in the stainer ( 1 ).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of the German patent application 101 44989.5 filed Sep. 12, 2001 which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a system for staining and coverslipping specimenslides, having a first part that comprises a stainer in which atransport device is provided for handling racks with specimen slides,and having a second part that comprises a coverslipper.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

WO 95/20176 discloses an instrument for automatic deposition ofcoverslips. The pickup head possesses suction cups, facing outward fromthe longitudinal axis of the pickup head, to which a vacuum can beapplied individually. A piston that is mechanically preloaded downwardwith a spring is provided between the suction cups. In order to pick upa coverslip, the pickup head is pressed onto the coverslip stack anduntil the suction cups are in contact with the topmost coverslip. Theadhesion between the topmost coverslip and the coverslips below it isovercome by means of a shearing motion. The specimen slides that are tobe equipped with coverslips are deposited in a drawer. This does notresult in any automation of the apparatus, since the user him- orherself must reload specimen slides.

The automatic stainer and coverslipper are two separate units. Accordingto the existing art, after the staining operation the specimen slidesneeded to be manually removed from the stainer and inserted into thecoverslipper in order to start the process of covering them withcoverslips (see Leica brochure CV 5000). Despite the automation of theindividual units, manual loading of the coverslipper is necessary.Smooth operation requires that laboratory personnel occupy themselves,at very short intervals of a few minutes, with removing racks from thestainer and loading the coverslipper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to create a system intended toguarantee the greatest possible degree of automation in the handling ofspecimen slides, in which context the intervention of an operator duringstaining and subsequent coverslipping of the specimen slides is to beminimized.

This object is achieved by means of a system which is characterized inthat the transport device transfers racks with specimen slides from thestainer directly into the coverslipper.

The advantage of the system according to the present invention is thatthe transport device present in the stainer transfers racks withspecimen slides from the stainer directly into the coverslipper. Thiseliminates the interposition of a further device which first picks upthe racks before they are then transferred by the further device intothe coverslipper. This configuration is economical. In addition, thesystem will be less affected by system faults because the rack with thespecimen slides does not need to pass through transfer positions. In aparticular embodiment, the system for staining and coverslippingspecimen slides is configured in such a way that the stainer and thecoverslipper are each surrounded by an individual housing. In addition,the stainer and the coverslipper are equipped with a pivotable cover.The stainer and coverslipper thus each constitute a separately closedsystem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter of the invention is depicted schematically in thedrawings and will be described below with reference to the Figures, inwhich:

FIG. 1 schematically depicts an exemplary embodiment of a stainer inwhich the loading station is embodied as a drawer;

FIG. 2 schematically depicts an exemplary embodiment of a coverslipper;and

FIG. 3 schematically depicts a system according to the presentinvention, the individual elements being separated from one another andonly one side wall of the stainer being depicted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is evident from FIG. 1 that a transport device 5, which deliversracks 4 carrying specimen slides (not depicted) to the variousprocessing stations 3, is provided in stainer 1. Stainer 1 comprises ahousing 2 as well as processing stations 3 arranged in housing 2, saidstations being configured as vessels for receiving racks 4 with specimenslides.

Also evident from FIG. 1 is a transport device 5, the latter serving todeliver racks 4 with the specimen slides into processing stations 3 orthe vessels, and to take them out of processing stations 3 or thevessels. Cover 6 serving to cover stainer 1 is open to allow a view intostainer 1. Drawers 7, 8 for loading stainer 1 and for removing thetreated specimens, or specimens slides carrying the treated specimens,are shown in the closed position.

Drawer 7 serves as a removal station for the removal of racks 4 fromstainer 1. Racks 4 can thus be delivered manually by a user to a furtherprocessing operation.

A loading station 11 is also provided in stainer 1. Both loading station11 and removal station 7 are reached via transport device 5. By means oftransport device 5 it is thus possible to remove racks 4 carrying thespecimen slides that are present in loading station 11 and deliver themto the actual processing stations 3. After the last processing station 3in the process implemented in stainer 1, racks 4 with the specimenslides are transferred directly to a coverslipper 20 (see FIG. 2). Thetransfer is performed, with transport device 5, to coverslipper 20 thatis downstream in this embodiment. In the embodiment depicted here,stainer 1 and coverslipper 20 are each surrounded by a housing 2 and 22,accessible from the outside via a respective cover 6 and 25. It isnevertheless self-evident for one skilled in the art also to configure asystem 100 in such a way that stainer 1 and coverslipper 20 form oneunit. Transport device 5 in stainer 1 would accordingly be configured sothat racks 4 with the specimen slides are delivered directly into atransfer position (not depicted) associated with the coverslipper 20.The description below refers to a system in which coverslipper 20 andstainer 1 are each surrounded by a separate housing 22 and 2. This isnot to be construed in any way, however, as a limitation of theinvention.

In the exemplary embodiment selected here, transport device 5 isembodied to include a robot arm 12. An opening 33, through which racks 4with specimen slides can be transferred to coverslipper 20, isconfigured in a side wall 32 of stainer 1.

FIG. 2 schematically depicts an exemplary embodiment of coverslipper 20.In this embodiment, coverslipper 20 also comprises a housing 22 that hason one side wall 21 several attachment elements 21 a that coact withattachment elements 34 on the corresponding side wall 32 of stainer 1.Side wall 21 also has an opening 23 through which racks 4 with thespecimen slides are delivered from stainer 1 into coverslipper 20. Theinterior of coverslipper 3 is covered with a pivotable cover 25. Frontwall 26 of coverslipper 20 has a first drawer 17 in which a furtheropening 17 a, into which a user interface (not depicted) can beinserted, is configured. Also provided in addition to first drawer 17for the user interface and the access for the electronics ofcoverslipper 20 is a removal panel 18 by means of which the user alsohas access to the interior of coverslipper 20.

Also provided on coverslipper 20 is an output tray 19 for specimenslides equipped with coverslips.

Communication between coverslipper 20 and stainer 1 occurs as follows:stainer 1 queries whether it can place a rack 4 in coverslipper 20. Theresponse from coverslipper 20 can be “yes” or “no.” If “no,” the queryis repeated at periodic intervals. If “yes,” the rack is put in placeand a “rack transferred” message is generated. Coverslipper 20 responds“rack received.” This procedure eliminates long waiting times for therack in the transfer position. A quick transfer is advantageous becausethe specimen slides usually sit in a bath of solvent (often xylene), andwet specimen slides that were just recently stored in solvent exhibitconsiderably better flow behavior for the coverslip adhesive. It isparticularly advantageous if a container with solvent, into which racks4 with the specimen slides can be deposited, is also provided incoverslipper 20.

As depicted in FIG. 3, the elements of system 100 are shown separatedfrom one another for better clarity. In operation, stainer 1 (only oneside wall 32 shown here) and coverslipper 20 are connected to oneanother. Stainer 1 possesses lateral opening 33 through which transportdevice 5 of stainer 1 can pass. Specifically, transport device 5 is usedon the one hand to accept racks 4 with specimen slides from otherprocessing stations and to transfer racks 4 with specimen slides fortransfer to coverslipper 20. Transport device 5 extends through opening23 in side wall 21 of coverslipper 20. In system 100 according to thepresent invention, the individual elements are assembled together.Stainer 1 and coverslipper 20 are connected to one another and form asystem 100 substantially closed off externally.

The invention has been described with reference to a particularexemplary embodiment. It is nevertheless self-evident that changes andmodifications can be made without thereby leaving the range ofprotection of the claims below.

PARTS LIST

-   1 Stainer-   2 Housing-   3 Processing stations-   4 Racks-   5 Transport device-   6 Cover-   7 Drawers-   8 Drawers-   11 Loading station-   12 Robot arm-   17 First drawer-   17 a Further opening-   18 Panel-   19 Output tray-   20 Coverslipper-   21 Side wall-   21 a Attachment elements-   22 Housing of coverslipper-   23 Opening-   25 Cover-   26 Front wall-   32 Side wall-   33 Lateral opening-   34 Attachment element-   100 System

1. A system (100) for staining and coverslipping specimen slides, saidsystem comprising: a stainer (1) including an individual housing (2) anda transport device (5) for handling racks (4) carrying specimen slides,wherein said housing (2) of said stainer (1) has a lateral opening (33);a coverslipper (20) including an individual housing (22), wherein saidhousing (22) of said coverslipper (20) also has a lateral opening (23);said stainer (1) and said coverslipper (20) being arranged such thatsaid lateral openings (33 and 23) are located directly opposite oneanother; and wherein said housing (2) of said stainer (1) and saidhousing (22) of said coverslipper (20) include respective side walls(32) and (21) opposing one another, each of said side walls (32 and 21)having respective attachment elements (21 a and 34) thereon, whereinsaid attachment elements (21 a) of said stainer (1) coact with saidattachment elements (34) of said coverslipper (20).
 2. The system (100)as defined in claim 1, wherein said stainer (1) comprises at least onedrawer (7, 8) through which said racks (4) can be brought into orremoved from said system (100).
 3. The system (100) as defined in claim1, wherein said coverslipper (20) includes a first drawer (17) and apanel (18) through which a user gains access to an interior of saidcoverslipper (20).
 4. The system (100) as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid transport device (5) includes a robot arm (12).
 5. The system (100)as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing (2, 22) of said stainer (1)and said coverslipper (20) each include a pivotable cover (6, 25). 6.The system (100) as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing (2) of saidstainer (1) has a lateral opening (33) and said housing (22) of saidcoverslipper (20) also has a lateral opening (23), said stainer (1) andsaid coverslipper (20) being arranged such that said lateral openings(33 and 23) are located directly opposite one another.